My name is Greg and I am an alcoholic/drug addict. I have been clean and sober since 1998.
I have often wonder how much of a correlation there is between ADHD/ADDers and alcoholics/addicts. I know when i was a kid, before my ADHD was diagnosed, I was told by teachers that I was "lazy and stupid" or classified a "problem child"/ That really didnt help my self-esteem. I struggled with feeling "less than" others. After a while I just gave up caring and became and angry kid that felt like he was stupid inside. That was one of the reason why I began self medicating with alcoholic/drug. Anyone else have a similar experence?
greg

heck yes there is a correlation. When we are undx, many of us try to self-medicate in attempts to self regulate. Also, my self-esteem was in the toilet of many years being treated horribly by most teachers. So, I did the same thing but I didn't get to the point of becoming an addict (except for cigs - have quit). I was pretty darn close.

My father and his four siblings are all alcholics and they are pretty severe ADHDers (undx but it's very obvious).

You'll find quite a few recovering alcoholic/addicts here, myself included (http://http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=598711&highlight=1600mg#post598711).

For the most part I was fairly resilent as a child and able to maintain some self-esteem and respect in the face of all the negative criticism. I didn't start drinking/drugging because of a poor self-image, but because I felt "right" and "good" when I was under their influence.

In hindsight I can see how undiagnosed ADD could have been a factor in my addiction. Also, there are numerous studies that show that those with ADD can be more susceptible to addiction than those without chemical imbalances.

But that doesn't mean that eveyone in the rooms of AA/CA/NA are undianosed ADD'rs, only that some could be.

Also, I don't like the idea of taking away personal responsibilty for choices we make and saying that it is because of my {insert disease/ailment here.}

That is a very interesting question Greg. I used to use different drugs, mostly smoking pot. And I smoked for a long time. I only quit about 3 or 4 years before I finally got diagnosed. I have just recently been thinking a lot about how my past would have been different if somebody had figured out I had ADD. I am starting to believe that ADD effected just about every part of my life. From friends and relationships, to my old driving habits and trouble I managed to get into. Nothing I consider real serious or anything, but I have definatly had enough trouble for this lifetime.g

You just described me. If anyone can recommend a doctor in Mpls. Im in dire need. My doctor refuses to treat me because I drank a lot 4years ago. Im totally sober but dealing with ADD and finding a doctor that will take me seriously.

I'm also in recovery as well.I think what you'll find is a lot of self-medication before the diagnosis was made.

All the data I've seen, as recently as 2-3 months ago, continues to support the use of stimulants to treat ADHD as not having a connection with the development of and/or susceptibility to alcohol & drug problems in boys.

I'll be glad to get the reference tomorrow at the office.

tc

mctavish23

(Robert)

I'll be glad to get the reference tomorrow at the office.

tc

mctavish23

(Robert)

Please do so. I would like to read it.

OH YEAH...
....I definately found doing meth made me feel normal, before she almost killed me.

lindsey, my hubby sees a specialist p-doc who deals with addictions, she dx his add, ocd, ect., so maybe one like that might be of better use to you than a reg p-doc.

Ok,

This is actually a follow up to the 3 studies,conducted over a 13 year period, that showed the use of ANY stimulant could help reduce the risk of a Substance Use Disorder by up to a maximum of 82 %.

The primary researcher on 2 of those, as well as an associate on the third, was Harvard's Joe Biederman MD.

He may be the most prolific reseacher out there.

The current study didn't replicate the exact findings of the first 3.

However, here's what it did find:

"Among boys,no association is found between stimulant treatment for ADHD and the risk for developing alcohol, drug, or nicotine use disorders."

The study in question is from the American Journal of Psychiatry,165 : 597-603,2008.

It's also condensed at www.completepractioner.com

However, we subscribe to it at work, so I'm not sure if it can be accessed for free.

Either way, it's the June 2008 issue

Vol.11 No.6

I can post some more later on.

Today was a long one.

Hope this helps.

tc

mctavish23

(Robert)

I've smoked championship amounts of pot since I was 15 in an attempt to cope with my esteem issues, shortcomings, fidgeting, extreme boredom etc etc etc.

I did cocaine like it was the 80's for a while, wisely stopped when i realized it made me feel normal, not just high.

I've been uninsured most of my life, but recently have been trying to clean up my act and I'm actually striving to handle it all in a more socially acceptable way.

yes i would pick up my crack pipe and say this is only to calm my adhd

and i knew when i started doin it that it would be a cure for adhd

i think self medicating is overly used as an excuse